It is time, I think, to put away the discussion of who is going to be the next Hayao Miyazaki. Because there simply is not one answer to that question. There are two. There is Summer Wars director Mamoru Hosoda and there is Voices From A Distant Star director Makoto Shinkai. And both are more than worthy to stand on their own merits without reference back to the grand master of anime.
Shinkai's latest is due to arrive in Japanese theaters in May under a title that translates literally to Children Who Chase Lost Voices From Deep Below. And while it's obvious that they're going to need to work on a better (shorter) title for the international market the freshly released teaser also makes it clear that Shinkai's unique blend of sensitive character work and science fiction tropes is once again in full effect. Simply fantastic. The Anime News Network describes the story like this:
Shinkai's latest is due to arrive in Japanese theaters in May under a title that translates literally to Children Who Chase Lost Voices From Deep Below. And while it's obvious that they're going to need to work on a better (shorter) title for the international market the freshly released teaser also makes it clear that Shinkai's unique blend of sensitive character work and science fiction tropes is once again in full effect. Simply fantastic. The Anime News Network describes the story like this:
The film centers on Asuna, a girl who spends her solitary days listening to the mysterious music emanating from the crystal radio she received from her father as a memento. However, she embarks on a journey of adventure to meet a boy again, and thus comes to know the cruelty and beauty of the world, as well as loss.